Dolphins sign returner Clifton Smith
The Miami Dolphins have signed the recently cut Clifton Smith. Smith was let go by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Smith spent two seasons with the Buccaneers after signing with them in 2008 as an undrafted free agent.
Smith made the Pro Bowl in his 2008 rookie campaign as the NFC’s best returner. Fielding both kicks and punts; Smith scored a touchdown in both categories. Smith's kickoff return for a touchdown was the first and only one in Buccaneers' history. In 2009 he led the league in average yards/return (29.1). The Bucs cut Smith after claiming Green Bay’s Kregg Lumpkin off waivers. The Dolphins were one of several teams to contact Smith as he chose to make the trip a little further south from Tampa Bay to Miami.
The Dolphins now received some major help in the return game. Patrick Cobbs was set to head into the season on return duties, but he lacks the big-play potential that Smith has. The Dolphins traded away Ted Ginn Jr. this offseason as the former first-round pick was a speedy, shifty returner but was erratic as a receiver and didn’t pan out well. By trading Ginn, the Dolphins lost a great returner but they now have one again with Smith. Ginn ran back two kickoffs for touchdowns last year with a return average of 24.9 yards on 52 kickoff returns.
Smith’s 2009 season ended prematurely after suffering a concussion in the 11th game of the season. Smith took a big hit from Carolina’s Dante Wesley, who was fined by the NFL.
The Dolphins have had a busy offseason and a busy preseason as they have made several trades and acquired some free agents. Smith now addresses an area of concern the Dolphins had. The focus will now shift to the young defence and offensive line.
Smith may possibly be used in a wildcat formation, as he is a shifty and speedy player. There’s no telling how much he can contribute to the Dolphins but one thing’s for sure, the Dolphins have upgraded themselves at another position. After boosting their receiving corps and defence this offseason by acquiring Brandon Marshall and Karlos Dansby, the Dolphins have taken care of any concerns they had on special teams.
The Dolphins open their season on Sunday when they travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills.
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